Behind the scenes on Instagram: Today Clay Cook

4/08/2016 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments

Today we present a new section we call "Behind the scenes on Instagram". We would like to share more behind the scenes videos, but everyday is more difficult to found something stunning. People love this kind of images on Instagram (@iso1200magazine) and a lot of readers want to see the final images too.

Them we thought that it would be a good idea to share these pieces of art on the blog. Our first photographer is Clay Cook (website). Let me know what you think on the comments below.

When the idea sparked to create this portrait series, I knew it would impact people. But, I didn't realize how impactful it would be on myself. Everyone has a story, but not everyone has the platform to tell that story, including these young adults who have been through hell. With this project, I hope to give a voice to the voiceless. See the series on my Instagram feed or blog! - said Clay Cook-

We didn’t have a system to rig the beautiful canvas that I had custom painted, so we grabbed what we could from the pile of wreckage on the alley-way next to the Youth Impact shelter, a cracked wooden ladder and trashed twin bed frame. Using a Manfrotto Super Clamp attached to the backdrop, draped over Manfrotto Crossbar, we linked the clamp to another Manfrotto Super Clamp and secured it to the debris. Using gaff tape and zip ties we fixed the bottom of the backdrop to avoid kick up from wind. This is Kidist Tesfaye, an orphan who joined Youth Impact at the young age of 12, she has since graduated college and is currently serving at a local hospital as a nurse. If you want to know more, be sure to watch the documentary, watch the behind the scenes and read our story. (LINK IN BIO)

Una foto publicada por Clay Cook (@claycookphoto) el 8 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 7:05 PDT

Addis Ababa is beautiful, but broken. Ethiopian people are proud of their culture, religion and heritage. But, their eyes gave me a sense of desperation for more; a need to reach and achieve a better life. Photographing this project in Addis Ababa was one of the most difficult assignments I’ve ever had. Due to the fear of exploitation, we were met with a lot of resistance. This is Dawet Daneyl. A runaway who left his farm in Ghana to find a better life in the city of Addis Ababa, which resulted in homelessness for over 4 years. If you want to know more, be sure to watch the documentary, watch the behind the scenes and read our story. (LINK IN BIO)

Una foto publicada por Clay Cook (@claycookphoto) el 7 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 1:41 PDT

These young adults have stories, but no voice. During our time on the ground, I developed a portrait series of both children right off the streets as well as adults that have grown through the Youth Impact program. I wanted to bring the aesthetic of my portrait work blended with a journalistic mood. That style involved creating a custom canvas soley designed from the ground up. Hopefully, this provides that voice that they so yearn to have. This is Yemisrach Tesfaye, an orphan who parents had also perished through the civil unrest. At the age of 12, she joined the shelter and has since graduated college and is currently serving at a local hospital as a nurse. If you want to know more, be sure to watch the documentary, watch the behind the scenes and read our story. (LINK IN BIO)

Una foto publicada por Clay Cook (@claycookphoto) el 7 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:25 PDT

Our project in Ethiopia focused on the foundation Youth Impact, which provides shelter, food and a path for homeless children located in the city of Addis Ababa. I knew the project would involve children who have struggled. Children who have stories. I wanted to tell their story the only way I know how, through imagery. During our time on the ground, I photographed a series of portraits that bring life to impoverished adolescents living through the shelter and highlight blossoming young adults who have so much to owe to their mentors. Each portrait was captured in the very shelter they survived and thrived. Hopefully, this series provides a voice that they so yearn to have. This is Amanual Haile, an orphan who parents perished during the famine that struck the nation a decade ago. At the age of 12, he joined the Youth Impact shelter and has since successfully graduated college. Over the course of April I'll be sharing a few selections from this portrait series as well as many of the images I captured during our adventure through Ethiopia. If you want to know more, be sure to watch the documentary, watch the behind the scenes and read our story. (LINK IN BIO)

Una foto publicada por Clay Cook (@claycookphoto) el 6 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 6:43 PDT

Yeah, we have a behind the scenes video too:

Read the full post with more information on www.clay-cook.com/ethiopia

Follow Clay Cook on Instagram @claycookphoto